The Victorian Lounge at the Astor Hotel in Tianjin. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

History cannot be repeated, and there is a hotel that strives to protect every drop of its essence. Tradition should not be forgotten, and there is a hotel that vows to guard every part of its entity.

That's the Astor Hotel in Tianjin, part of the Luxury Collection by Starwood Hotels and Resorts, and the only hotel that's acknowledged as a cultural relic by the Chinese government. Founded in 1863 and offering only 152 guest rooms and suites, one can hardly say the Astor is grand, at least in size. But, without a doubt, it is definitely "grand" in its content, significance, and, most importantly, in its character.

The Astor witnessed and played a major part in many key events in history. The tasteful classic British colonial style pays homage to the hotel's fabled heritage. Its rich history also reads like a book, each page filled with delicate emotions and cultural significance.